April 24, 2022: “Numbing Out, Waking Up: An Earth Day Call to Action and Compassion”

ORDER OF WORSHIP | APRIL 24, 2022 | 10:00 AM HYBRID SERVICE

Before the service: You may light a candle for the joys and sorrows in your heart.
Please respect those seeking silence.

Gathering

Announcements
Nan Hart, Worship Associate

Prelude
“What a Wonderful World,” by Bob Thiele & George David Weiss; originally performed by Louis Armstrong
Winsome

Welcome & Greeting
Nan Hart

Come, come, whoever you are,
Whomever you love,
Whatever your image of the Holy,
Your presence here is a gift.
All are worthy, all are welcome.

Call to Worship
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Minister

Movement 1: Coming from Gratitude

Lighting the Chalice
with a reading by the Earth Sangha
Nan Hart

May all places be held sacred. 
May all beings be cherished. 
May all injustices of enslavement, oppression, and devaluation  
be righted, remedied and healed. 
May those captured by hatred be freed to the love that is their birthright. 
May those bound by fear be released to the safety of understanding. 
May those weighed down by grief be given over to the joy of being. 
May those lost in delusion find relief in the path of wisdom. 
May all wounds to forests, rivers, desert, oceans,  
all wounds to Mother Earth be lovingly restored to bountiful health. 
May all beings everywhere delight in birdsong and blue sky. 
May all beings abide in peace and well-being, awaken and be free. 

Wisdom Story
with recording of discussion with Dr. Jane Goodall
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education

Reading & Reflection
from Coming Back to Life, by Joanna Macy & Molly Brown
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Movement 2: Honoring Our Pain for the World 

Song
“Big Yellow Taxi,” written by Joni Mitchell
Winsome

Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
with words by Anita Barrows
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Centering Hymn
STJ #1069 “Ancient Mother” (traditional Navajo chant)

Movement 3: Seeing with New Eyes

Reading
from Coming Back to Life, by Joanna Macy & Molly Brown
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Song
“Mother Nature’s Son,” by the Beatles
Winsome

Reflection
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Movement 4: Going Forth

Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the dropbox in the Gathering Hall.

The collection this week goes to our general operating fund to help cover all of those essential things like staff salaries and building maintenance, as well as the activities that are so important to all of us, from social justice initiatives to crayons for our RE children. Thank you for your support!

Offertory Music
“Teach Your Children Well,” by Graham Nash
Winsome

From the Heart
Chris Llewellyn

Making Commitments
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Closing Hymn
SLT #298 “Wake, Now, My Senses”
Winsome

Extinguishing the Chalice
Nan Hart

We extinguish this flame,  
but not the light of truth,  
the warmth of community,  
or the fire of commitment. 
These we carry in our hearts  
until we are together again.

Closing Circle & Benediction
by David Abram
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal


Post-service conversation on Zoom: Zoom participants are invited to stay online for virtual social time.

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